Discharge Information & Instructions | Knee

Short Term Goals for Hospital Discharge

  • You should have relief from joint pain. You may still experience discomfort from the incision and the swelling, but this will improve with time.
  • You should be able to perform your knee exercises properly and without help while lying on your back.
  • You should be able to transfer, without help, in and out of bed, in and out of chairs, and on and off the toilet.
  • You should be able to walk while using your crutches or walker on level surfaces (without help) and on steps (with help).
  • You should understand the movement restrictions provided by your physician.

If you have difficulty in any of these areas, the therapist will instruct the person who will be helping you at home in ways to assist you. If you need to stay in an extended care facility for a short time before going home, the above goals can be reached there. If you need a therapist to visit you in your home or if you need to attend outpatient therapy in your hometown, our case manager can help you make these arrangements. Your surgeon may recommend that you have live-in assistance for at least 2-3 weeks after your hospital discharge. Often, family members can provide the needed assistance.

Case Management Visit

While you are in the hospital, you will be visited at least once by a Nurse Case Manager who will assist you in understanding and participating in your rehabilitation program. The Nurse Case Manager can assist you in your rehabilitation outside the hospital with information about convalescent care, home health care and special equipment.

A part of your rehabilitation will be dealing with the variety of emotions you may experience cased by the change in your physical health. A Case Manager can provide objective listening and support contacts for you after you leave the hospital.

Chaplain services are also available upon request.

Discharge Day

Your surgeon, therapist, and the rest of the hospital team will watch your progress in physical therapy and will check your medical status to decide when to release you from the hospital.

You will be given a prescription for pain medication and any other medicine your doctor has prescribed. You may take pain medicine before you leave the hospital to make your trip home as comfortable as possible.

You should have the following equipment:

  • Crutches and/or walker
  • An elevated toilet seat
  • Two pairs of surgical support hose
  • Three or four pillows (provided for you by the nursing unit)
  • Long reacher (optional)

Insurance and/or Medicare will normally pay for 80% of their approved cost of either a walker or crutches, but not both. They do not reimburse for toilet seats and long reachers. The supplier for these items will file a claim with your insurance and send you a bill for the remaining amount. However, because of the ongoing changes in reimbursement, it is recommended that you verify this with your insurance carrier. This bill is separate from the hospital bill. Of course, if you already have these items you will not need to buy them again.

You will be billed for the TV and phone.